helping 4whlrs merge

My mother-in-law is one of those that drives me nuts. As a matter of fact, I refuse to ride with her. If we take her car, I still drive.

I think it depends on how the gals were brought up as to how they drive.

 

You aren't supposed to "help" them merge . I've had licenses in several states . I think it was in GA that the only question I got wrong on the written test involved merging traffic on a ramp you are approaching . I picked the answer to slow or move left . The correct answer is maintain your speed and lane . Slowing causes a hazardous chain reaction behind you .

 

I think the most scary drivers of all time are OLD people. Of which I are one! Or at least getting there.

But you see these "youthfully challenged" individuals trying to drive on the freeway. They get on the on ramp and drive their assigned 45 MPH (everyone knows that particularly men, over a certain age have been given the God given mandate that they should ALWAYS drive 45 MPH. No matter what the speed limit is, or the traffic or road conditions, it is 45 MPH,) all the way to the end of the acceleration ramp and then - - -SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES! "Good heaven's Henry, there is a CAR coming in that lane, you must stop". . .

 

One thing for sure-we will have to teach them.I tell myself all the time that they only drive 12,000 miles a year so there`s no way they know what they are doing.I have an especially "soft spot" for our senior citizens.As professionals,we really do have to drive for everybody.

 

the only time i'll help out is if they (plural) absolutely need me to help. if it's one car they should be able to figure out how to get in front of or get behind me. if there's a string of cars i'll gtfo of the way, because it only takes one dumbsh!t to hit the brakes while the guy behind him is looking over his shoulder....

too many times i've moved over to let a car come in beside me, and they just sit there going the same speed and i'm stuck blocking the left lane. too many times i've slowed down to let someone in, then they check and step on it, and they're flying off at 75mph, while i'm left climbing the rest of the hill at 45mph. too many times i've seen some jagoff on a cell phone wait until there's 3 seconds of merge left before he ever looks. too many times i've seen someone come roaring up on my right, only to slow down to my speed when their bumper is three feet ahead of mine and make eye contact over their shoulder as if to ask what the hell i'm doing in their spot.

a couple weeks ago i some little micro-suv blew past me on the merge, and i was all giddy because, 'finally... a fourwheeler that gets it!' they were going 10mph faster than me, three car lengths ahead of me... then they saw me in the mirror and slammed on the brakes instead of getting ahead of me.

i remember being a new driver and thinking that trucks had to get out of my way. and i remember the first one that didn't. and i claim personal responsibility for at least two dozen drivers that will never assume that again.

 

I agree with slingblade. I was just thinking bout this today too. Seeing how the economy sucks, and the spots for the super bowl ads arent selling out by the end of the year like they have in past...i thought, why dont us truckers pool our money, and buy 2 - 30 second spots. one showing the proper way to merge (as a 4-wheeler), and what we see in the truck. then follow it up by what looks to be the same commercial, but this time, what happens when neither the truck or the 4-wheeler 'give', and what happens when the two touch when going 55 mph. then wrap it up with a fade to "GET THE PICTURE?"

LOL

Actually what i've been doing, is if i see them soon enough and if it is a long ramp, ill try to time it for them. slow down just a touch to make a clear hole in front of me. if i can get over, ill just get over. But if i cant, or some ramps have trees to block your view and the look like they come SHOOTING out of a gun at you....you really have no choice. I will blink my lights, and give them the motion to come over. if they slow down or hit their brakes for one second....i put the hammer down and go.

I also think i am going to make a big magnetic sign to put on my right side door. and it will be a yellow sign with big black letters that says "IF YOU CAN READ THIS.....GAS IT !!!!" or " GOT GAS? " ... or.....a picture of a brake pedal and the gas pedal....with arrows pointing to the gas pedal. =)

 

I have people all the time here they go into the turn / merge lane then stop but they have about 300-500 feet to get up to highway speed and merge.

That pisses me off really bad because of course I have to stop then try to get going again.

 

Three to five hundred feet? We can have ya' on and off the highway in that length of pavement! LOL

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I maintain my speed, its up to the merging vehicle to speed up or slow down when entering a highway. If the lane beside is open Ill move over to assist them with getting on. I CA it is up to the vehicle entering.

 

I wish more drivers would do this. It just makes things so much simpler... <sigh>